NSCC Digby launches campaign to raise $350,000 for students

Digby NSCC principal Mary Thompson and Web.com vice president Karen Churchill shake hands at the Make Way campaign announcement in at the NSCC Digby Learning Centre. Thompson is running the campaign with Churchill as the campaign chair.

DIGBY, NS – The NSCC Digby Learning Centre has launched its biggest-ever fundraising campaign to raise money to directly support its students and increase their chances of success.

The launch was held October 5, when it was announced the Digby campus will aim to raise $350,000 for its part of NSCC’s province-wide Make Way campaign. The school has to date already raised $170,000.

The campaign’s goal is to “ensure every Nova Scotian who aspires to attend NSCC is able to do so,” by eliminating financial barriers they face, helping students like Ashley Roberts, who attended the college with financial help.

“Bursaries helped me continue my education financially. Without the support of the NSCC staff and foundation, I don't think I would have exceeded my expectations academically,” she said.

Where the money will go

The money raised through the Make Way campaign will be divided into three sections in Digby – $50,000 to bursaries, $150,000 to innovative programming and spaces, and $150,000 to urgent aid.

Mary Thompson, the school’s principal and head of the Digby campaign, spoke of how excited she and other staff members get, knowing the money goes straight to helping students succeed.

“When you see us tearing up at graduation, it’s not just because we’re proud you passed. We’re proud you got to that point, to crossing the stage,” she said.

Other campaign members are just as committed, like campaign chair Karen Churchill, vice president at Web.com, who donated $50,000 after coming on board.

“When you see us tearing up at graduation, it’s not just because we’re proud you passed. We’re proud you got to that point, to crossing the stage,” said Mary Thompson, with Ashley Roberts on the banner in the background.

“This money means we can help more students financially, and remove those barriers that can sometimes keep them from pursuing school,” said Thompson.

“It’s not just about the academics.”

The difference help can make

A photo of Ashley Roberts smiles proudly on the NSCC banner.

As one of the school’s poster people, Roberts is a fine example of what bursaries can do for to help students.

She graduated from a management program at the school and is now the store manager at High Tides, Digby’s medical marijuana dispensary, just months after graduating.

“I graduated with confidence and I continue to receive moral support from the Digby Learning Centre. I am proud to be a NSCC Alumni for life,” she said.

NSCC gave out 1,000 scholarships and bursaries in 2016-2017, and helped 850 students through unforeseen circumstances with urgent aid.

The NSCC will aim to raise a total $25 million as part of their Make Way campaign, and have already raised $21 million to date.

“We were able to help so many students last year, but unable to help all of those who needed financial support. This year, with this money, we’ll be able to help even more,” said Thompson.